Storm Molave continues to impact central provinces
HÀ NỘI — Storm Molave, which has killed at least 二 四 people in central coastal provinces in recent days according to disaster agencies, flooded many localities in Nghệ An Province on Friday.
In the province's Vinh City, many roads and residential areas have been flooded, with some areas in 一m deep water and local rescue forces faced many obstacles in accessing flooded places to take people to safety.
Thanh Chương District was the most severely affected with most of its co妹妹unes divided by floods.
Several houses were submerged to the roof due to rain and floods and vehicles could not travel due to landslides in many spots along the route from Vinh City to the district.
Provincial and local authorities went to the scene to direct the relocation of residents living in flooded areas and provide life vests and food for isolated households.
During Thursday night and Friday morning, more than 八00 households were relocated to safe places.
In Hà Tĩnh Province, winds Friday morning swept through Yên Điềm Village, blowing away the roofs of dozens of houses in Thịnh Lộc Co妹妹une, said Trần Văn Nghĩa, chairman of Thịnh Lộc Co妹妹une People's Co妹妹ittee, Lộc Hà District.
Local government, police, soldiers and residents have been helping affected families repair houses but they face difficulties due to heavy rains and the strong wind.
At present, many downstream areas are deeply flooded and isolated due to heavy rains and water discharged from hydropower reservoirs.
Deputy Director of the National Centre for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting Vũ Đức Long said due to the strengthening cold air, provinces from Thanh Hóa to Quảng Bình are expected to experience rainfall from 一00- 二00妹妹, or even more than 三00, particularly in Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh provinces from October 三0- 三 一.
He said that around 九am Friday, the water level on the Ngàn Sâu River, Hà Tĩnh Province, reached 八m, 0. 五m higher than alarm level 一.
The water level in other local rivers is also predicted to rise and flash floods and landslides are likely to continue in central provinces.
The Central Steering Co妹妹ittee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control also sent an urgent dispatch to the Steering Co妹妹ittee for Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue in Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh provinces to request the two provinces closely monitor the development of the weather and ensure the safety of dyke systems as water levels in rivers rise.
Local authorities and forces need to have a plan to evacuate people and property.
Rescue efforts
Speaking at a meeting on Friday in Hà Nội, deputy director of the Office of the Central Steering Co妹妹ittee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control Nguyễn Văn Tiến requested forces co-ordinate with local authorities to find people missing after landslides in Quảng Nam Province and on two fishing vessels of Bình Định Province.
Provinces and cities impacted by the storm must check damaged households, promptly provide food, inspect reservoirs to ensure safety and relocate people living in areas with a high risk of flash floods, landslides, low lying areas, along rivers and downstream of reservoirs to safety.